Because of time constraints this is a breakdown of the Bears 1st quarter and the 3rd quarter TD drive with some observations and discussion of the differences that I saw. Overall I came away very impressed with how the line played and more importantly how they improved as the game went on.

1st Quarter

Play 1: Play Action Pass [Bennett Drop]

Bushrod [-]: Double down in the play action fake, but both come off late and give up a needless hit. Looked like a miscommunication.

Slauson [-]: Double down in the play action fake, but both come off late and give up a needless hit. Looked like a miscommunication.

Garza [+]: Good hand use and maintains the line of scrimmage.

Long [+]: Pulls and picks up Michael Johnson with a physical block.

Mills [+]: Good hand punch by Mills and body is in good position, but gets pushed late.

Play 2: Draw [8 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Good body position forces Michael Johnson up the field and keeps him out of the play.

Slauson [/]: Benched to the ground by Atkins, but covers him up and engages him long enough that Forte gets by Atkins, ugly but effective.

Bushrod [+]: Good body position and violent hands absorbs a push and gives no ground.

Slauson [+]: Good use of his long arms against a slower and less dynamic rusher.

Garza [+]: Gives help.

Long [+]: Mediocre footwork allows Stills upfield a little were he swats the pass. Long is still in control of the block but needs to kick his outside foot to not allow penetration.

Mills [+]: Nice kick slide and again forces the DE into his body and absorbs him and shuts him down. I am impressed with Mills core strength as he does not get pushed back.

Play 14: Pass to Forte [10 Yards]

Bushrod [+]:

Slauson [++]: Physically passes the twist and picks up the looper.

Garza [++]: Gets involved on the stunt and takes over the DT stunting.

Long [+]: Physically pushes the twister off, but needs to discipline his feet and stay low.

Mills [+]: Absorbs the bull rush, but uses his facemask which allows Dunlap to slip off. But Mills has exceptional hand use and controls Dunlap despite the poor technique.

Play 15: Run [-1 Yards]

Bushrod [-]: Forces Johnson wide, but allows him off and he flows to the play. Bushrod needs better body position and to run his feet,

Slauson [+]: Gets to the 2nd level and pops Harrison.

Garza [+]: Takes the NT and wheels and cuts him.

Long [-]: Doubles down, but allows Atkins off late.

Mills [-]: Comes down on the double team, but does not finish on the LB and allows him to get to the play.

*Bennett gets walked into the backfield.

Play 16: Run [No Gain]

Bushrod [+]: Nice pull and arrives at James Harrison with violence.

Slauson [-]: Gets to the 2nd level, but is late and he does not have a strong base and ends up getting clipped to the ground. Misses Mualaga who makes the play.

Garza [+]: Gets the NT off balance.

Long [/]: Gets to the 2nd level quickly, but he does not make the block and his feet get close together and he cannot react and move.

Mills [/]: Does not really make the backside cut off, although he does affect the DT long enough that he does not get involved in the play.

*Marshall has a dominant block on the play, but asking Jeffery to block Harrison is pointless.

Play 17: Pass [15 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Ugly block where he gets spun around on the twist, but he sits down and anchors and does not allow Atkins to influence the QB. This is more Slauson's fault who needs to not allow Atkins to blow up Bushrod.

Slauson [+]: Needs a stronger punch on Atkins to not allow him to get to Bushrod's shoulder. But very disciplined and gets Johnson picked up on the twist.

Garza [++]: Power step and inside punch ends the rep on the line, once he is locked on the rep was over.

Long [++]: Exceptional arm extension allows him to shut down the inside move and controls the entire rep.

Slauson [++]: Passes Atkins to Bushrod in a much more physical way and then comes inside and blows up the NT.

Garza [+]: Physically handles the NT.

Long [/]: Needs to be more active against the twist and blitz.

Mills [/]: Needs to be more active against the twist and blitz looks a little confused.

Play 19: Run [5 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Engages the DE on the zone run and keeps him outside, not a dominant block, but what you are looking for.

Slauson [/]: Engages James Harrison on the blitz and it is push, but I like how he keeps his hands locked on and finishes the rep.

Garza [+]: Nice job cutting off the NT and allows Forte to not see opposition color. Not dominant, but what he needed to do with a tough assignment.

Long [+]: Like Garza he does not pancake Atkins but covers him up and moves him down the line which opens up the cut back lane.

Mills [+]: Gets to the 2nd level and forces Burfict back, but needs to move his feet when Burfict tries to get off and allow the 2nd cut back. But he does facilitate a 5 yard run.

Observations

-Trestman did everything in his power to protect the line, which was the right decision, but it made the offense very conservative. Jay was not holding the ball and there was a lot of TE and RB support in the protections.

-The run block struggles seem to be on the 2nd level with poor footwork and finish. Long and Slauson had a couple of whiffs on the 2nd level that led to tackles.

-Jordan Mills is a very strong pass blocker. He operates with the DE at full arm extension, which means his footwork does not need to be perfect because the DE is never close to him.

-Long and Slauson do an excellent job of handling Atkins and containing him by using their length and size to slow down Atkins before he can use his explosive plays.

-I think people are over critical of Bushrod. He does not look pretty and at times gets beat late or ends up getting spun around. But he blocks his guy, a guy with 11 sacks and a franchise tag, a guy who has elite physical tools and Bushrod really shuts him down. I will take a physical and professional effort from my LT every week.

[/b]TD Drives[/b]

Play 1: Pass Jeffery [11 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Good body position and stays square to the line and handles Atkins 1 on 1.

Slauson [/]: Ends up with no one to block with the slide and should be more active.

Garza [+]: Doubles with Long.

Long [+]: Doubles with Garza.

Mills [+]: Sells the playside run and uses his arms to keep Dunlap outside, but stops his feet and lets Dunlap off late.

Play 2: Run [0 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Gets to the 2nd level and walls off Burfict who takes and epically bad angle.

Slauson [/]: Picks up Johnson but not a very physical block, it looks like he is worried about the speed, and does not open up the backside.

Garza [+]: Moves Peko off the ball and fights him as Peko comes back across doing a nice job moving his feet.

Long [++]: Crushed Atkins to one knee.

Mills [-]: Loses his balance and hits the ground.

Play 3: Pass [Incomplete]

Bushrod [+]: Gets beat inside, but recovers nicely and uses his punch to hold Johnson back and recover his position and finish the block.

Slauson [+]: Protects Bushrod inside allows him to recover and helps Garza a nice active rep despite not having his own assignment.

Garza [+]: Slides to Atkins gets in front of him and sits down the pass rush.

Long [-]: Doubles Peko and watches for the blitz which does not come and allows Peko off. Needs to communicate better with Mills.

Mills [-]: Doubles Peko and watches for the blitz, but does not stay on Peko.

*Bush beat by Dunlap and gives up a big hit.

Play 4: Pass/Scramble [30 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Slides out and causes a traffic jam with the blitzers.

Slauson [+]: Slides out and bottles up the blitz on the leftside.

Garza [-]: Dips his head on the stunt and is beaten forcing Jay from the pocket.

Long [/]: Physically crashes down when the DE loops inside, but is off balance and struggles to redirect.

Mills [/¸: Nice pick up of Johnson, but drops back too far and is in Cutler`s face before Johnson even throws a move.

*Good pre snap talk against an all out blitz.

Play 5: Run Inside Trap [7 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Keeps 95 out of the play and is physical locking out the defender.

Slauson [++]: Pulls violently and blocks 2 guys long enough for the play to go by. Not great technique but so quick and violent it gets the job done.

Garza [+]: Knocks Peko out of the hole and is in control the entire play with great hand placement.

Long [-]: Explodes to the 2nd level but totally misses the LB who blitzes, but the LB totally misses the RB so it is a wash.

Mills [+]: Gets to the 2nd level and uses good positioning to keep Burfict out of the play.

Play 6: Pass Earl Bennett [7 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Quick protection with a solid base and arm extension.

Slauson [+]: Quick protection with a solid base and arm extension.

Garza [+]:Quick protection with a solid base and arm extension.

Long [+]: Quick protection with a solid base and arm extension.

Mills [+]: Quick protection with a solid base and arm extension.

Play 7: Pass Jeffery [14 Yards]

Bushrod [+]: Quick protection with a solid base and arm extension.

Slauson [+]: Great physicality initially, but needs more disciplined feet as he gives up a late pressure.

Garza [+]:Doubles with Long.

Long [+]: Doubles with Long.

Mills [+]: Pushes the DE wide of the pocket and uses a good hand punch, but loses balance on the push pull and falls off late.

Play 8: Run [4 Yards]

Bushrod [++]: Explodes into Johnson who tries to come inside and controls him with hand placement and drives him inside into the pile.

Slauson [+]: Good double and climbs to the 2nd level, but is stood up, but he keeps his feet moving and pushes to the goal line.

Garza [+]:Quick protection with a solid base and arm extension.

Long [+]: Good pop off the line and gets into the LB but needs to get lower when the LB comes down as hard as he did. Exceptional effort to push the pile.

Mills [/]: Comes down, but does not get enough depth to cut off the 3 technique. Exceptional effort to drive the pile towards the end zone.

*Initial contact made at 5 yard line and great effort and push to the goalline.

Play 9: Run [Touchdown]

Bushrod [+]: Good physical surge on the backside and does not allow Johnson to collapse the backside.

Slauson [++]: Pulls and blows up the DT covering him up as Forte goes by. It is under rated to cover up a DT that is cutting on the play and he does it.

Garza [+]: Physically gets into Peko and allows Long and Mills to climb and Slauson to pull behind him.

Long [+]: Gets to the 2nd level but no one there.

Mills [++]: Gets to the 2nd level and keeps Mualaga in the end zone. He arrives with so much violence in the run game.

*Love shotgun runs on the goal line it gives the QB options and forces the defenders out of the box.

Observations
-The Bears OL does not consistently have good technique and they do not consistently pick up everything in front of them, no OL does, but they are so much more physical than last season that they cover up there mistakes by consistently getting after people.

-Our OTs are very solid in pass protection, neither was beaten cleanly by a couple of talented and physically impressive DEs. I do not care if they are dominant, I just do not want to see clean beats and quick pressures something that neither gave up.

-The Interior OL did an excellent job of shutting down Atkins and Peko. At times they could do a better job on the 2nd level and against the blitz, but the most important thing is to get the down guys blocked in the pass game and to get them moving in the run game.

-Kyle Long and Jordan Mills are still learning and they miss some stuff and have some communication breakdowns. But what I like is that they do not stop when they screw up. Long and Mills are like bulls in the China shop they may miss the LB, but they are crushing the DT in the process. Bob Wylie, former Bears OL coach, once told me if you are going to screw up at least keep your feet moving and attack someone.

-Speaking of Long he may need to play with a little less speed as there are times he is moving to fast to redirect and make his 2nd level block.

-I agree with PFF's assessment that Jordan Mills was the most impressive of the Bears OLmen. He is a rock in pass protection right now and he has exceptional hand use.

-Garza seems better with better talent around him. There are still some plays that are really bad and he cannot really pass block 1 on 1, but he handles the NT well 1 on 1 in the run game and he is active in the pass game and in directing traffic.

-Slauson may turn out to be the most under rated offseason pick up that the Bears made. He is not a world beater, but he is big, physical and hustles around and makes plays. He is such a huge upgrade over Chris Williams, Edwin, Williams, Chris Spencer and Chilo Rachal that he is making the entire line better. I was impressed with how he stood in and battled Geno Atkins with his strength and how well he worked with Bushrod in the stunt game.

-Trestman is clearly protecting the line early on keeping a ton of TE and RB help in to protect and run block. We were far more affective in the 2nd half when we spread the field out and attacked downfield. I expect to see that approach moving forward.

-Confidence is an amazing thing. As the game wore on I saw Cutler look more and more comfortable to the point when he was getting pressured his eyes stay down field. Last season his eyes would drop preparing for the big hit. I also saw an OL that started to block Geno Atkins and company 1 on 1 and attacking them aggressively in 1 on 1 situations. As the OL confidence grew we started to move the ball and score points._________________Adopt a Bear: DT Will Sutton [T, S, TFL, FF]

That pass block against Geno by Long on the Martellus TD really impressed me. You would know better than I, but it looked to me like he rode him outside to a spot and then extended his arms so hard it completely stoned him and drove his head back, rather than being a situation where he was beat a little and recovered. It was impressive either way, as was that block where he dropped Geno to his knees.

These are awesome write ups Windy, great insight into the line, something we should all be paying more attention to.

As for the quoted section, I have had to just completely tune out people's ('experts') opinions on Bears FA pickups. Ever notice no matter who we get, no matter how bad a need, someone somewhere will fight to the death defending their stance that the guy we got was 'Overrated', or that we over paid, or their fans are 'glad he's our problem now'.

Bushrod hadn't played a snap for us, and people were already all over the guy based on... I don't even know, PFF grades?

While Long didn't continue his ridiculous performances as he did in the preseason, this was MUCH tougher than anything he faced in the preseason. He battled the best DT in the NFL, worked against stunts and blitzes for the first time in the NFL as a guard, and did it against one of the best defensive fronts in the game. While PFF didn't grade him high, I would look at this performance as ore impressive than a +2.0 against a bad team. His mistakes were mental, and when he latches on he is physically dominating, so he is still going to have huge improvements (which is almost scary considering his physical tools).

Mills was staggeringly good. I thought for sure he would be shifted into guard and be a phone-booth monster, but I didn't think he was as athletic as he really is. He could be the steal of the draft. He just seems to dominate and control DEs. Just awesome play so far._________________2013 Kyle Long Rookie of the Year Award

Reading this along with PFF it seems like Long is overrated in comparison to Mills and Mills is underrated in comparison to Long. Draft position, good quotes and blood lines might explain it.

Thats part of it - but its also because Long had a couple of really tremendous pre-season games. He also is more physically imposing and seemingly has more 'splash plays' (similar to the praise for Bostic). I think people see a higher ceiling for Long.

Mills has been incredibly steady, and has a tremendous amount of experience in college. Louisiana Tech threw the ball over a thousand times in Mills two years as a starter.

We've got the makings of a fantastic, long-term, pairing on the right side of the line._________________

Mills was a find and I think will go down as one of Emery's better draft picks on his résumé.

I am floored at his ability to not get beat clean in pass protection.

I was expecting Dunlap to double move him or get his hands and go by quickly, but every rep he is in good position, gets his hands on and arms extended._________________Adopt a Bear: DT Will Sutton [T, S, TFL, FF]

These are outstanding write-ups. Thank you for this._________________How do you feel about anonymous players not wanting to play with Cutler?
Kyle Long: "I'll anonymously kick their [inappropriate/removed]!!!"